Michigan AMA Alert

[MWEISSEN]

I got an AMA alert letter today. As part of the budget balancing, Governor Granholm has recommended the Michigan Department of Education eliminat the Motorcycle Safety Education Program and the Off-Road Vehicle Safety Education Program. This is House Bill 4415 introduced 3/19/03.

The on-line documents listed give more information:
www.michigan.gov/documents/Education_58833_7.pdf

www.michigan.gove/documentsLegislation_660472_7.pdf

The Bill is at:
www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2003-HB-415,&userid

This needs your immediate response to prevent the erosion of these training programs for new riders! Write the Governor at:
Honorable Jennier Granholm, Governor
State of Michigan
George W. Romney Bldg.
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909

Or write your Senator or representative at the Michigan House of Representatives

You can also use the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com

This proposal is actually STEALING money already allocated from motorcycle registration and trail permits.

 

[Smit-Dog]

Thanks for the heads-up Mark. I had dinner with my dad last weekend, and he was telling me about this same issue.

Seems like a no-brainer since the state's cost to help subsidize these programs are derived entirely from motorcycle registrations, licenses, and permits.

The proposal to eliminate these programs in the budget removes both the expense and revenue line items, so the state won't be saving any money. All it will do is make it harder for riders to take and pay for the course.

The easiest and quickest way to help oppose this is by going to the AMA Rapid Response Center like Mark mentioned. Click on the links below, then enter your ZIP code in the "Take Action Now!" box and click "GO!". This will automatically create an e-mail message, you just fill in your contact info.

To send an e-mail to Governor Granholm, click here:

http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=1846511&type=GV&azip=48386


To send an e-mail to your local representatives, click here (then enter your ZIP code):

http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=1845951&type=ST&azip=48386

Zach is attending his rider safety course in just a few weeks, so I'd hate to see these programs falter because of the state pulling it's support.

 

[Don Marsh]

Done!

 

[fatherandson]

I have sent my letters.

Based on a couple of conversations that I have had, if the funding for these programs is removed, two things could happen.  1)  The cost of the ORV stickers could go down   2)  Private organizations (like the CCC) could still provide the training but charge whatever fee they feel is appropriate.  At this time they are limited to charging $25.

 

[70 marlin]

Sent! thanks for the heads up!

 

[KTM Mike]

Wow - thanks for the heads up on this one! I was a MSF Certified Instructor for 12 years (street - stopped teaching in 01) and saw time and time again the impact of these classes in a very direct sense - was particularily notable in cases of a so called experienced rider taking the class and seeing how poor their skills actually were.

I just went to the AMA site and sent my messages - but I will also be doing some phone calls to my legislators. In my previous job I was quite active in "lobbying" (hate to use that term) for health care issues in Lansing and Washington and found out that phone calls do indeed get attention, and the legislators do remember you!

The form letters from associations like the AMA do make a difference, but tend to get lumped all together and are much less personal. Make phone calls! Ask for the legislator directly - very often you will be put right through! When you are their constituent - you represent a vote for or against them in the next election - they like supportive voters!

If you are in the Lansing area, ask to meet with them in person - I have been quite suprised the number of times I was able to get appointments (sometimes of rather short duration though) on quite short notice even. Have cheat sheet notes to refer to, know what you are going to say and say it in an organized and structured fashion - dont waste their time struggling to get your message out. Having printed materials you can hand to them helps as well (they then hand it off to a staffer to read and summarize for them). They may simply refer you to the appropriate staff person. If you can, say your bit to them as well as the legislator. Andy Neumann used to have a staff person that had an YZ400F - i would end up BSing with him about riding quite a bit - so you never know where you might find support! (to bad Andy is no longer in office).

What is really effective is if a small group of people can meet with them. Sends a louder message (not with loud pipes though please!) with say 4 or 5 constituents sitting across the table from them! Perhaps we should gather up a small group of guys to storm the capital? Maybe the AMA could help us out with some materials? (are they in session now though?....need to find that out).

Again, thanks for the heads up. Hope we can fight this one off!

 

[Drew 674]

just sent mine out, thankx for all the info....

 

[KTM Mike]

FYI - I got a response back from my State Rep (106th District) - so there is at least one supporter! Response copied below:

----------------------------------

Thank you for your e-mail. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with
me on this matter.

I support funding for the Motrocycle Safety Education Program. You
bring up some very good points in your letter regarding this program.

Thanks again for writing.

Matt Gillard
State Representative
106th District
---------------------------------------------

 

[dthoms]

Mark,
Thanks for the info. I went to the AMA site and sent in a quick response E-mail. I also am penning a letter to my favorite female govenor that I didn't vote for. Admittedly the budget is a mess, and there is going to be some unhappy faces somewhere no matter what she does. On top of that the govenor's mansion is in a state of disrepair, the papers made it sound like it was a dump, poor girl.
On a separate issue, I've adjusted the rebound but I'll have to play with it some more. I normally don't like too much rebound. I like to back it off until the bike starts to buck a little and then turn it down until it goes away. That way my bike does feel like it is packing up when I'm coming out of corners, and over braking bumps. I also like to have some hop built in.
If I turn up the compression, it does a better job going thru the whoops, but suffers on the small stuff. In retro spec, I'll have to try turning them both up a couple of clicks and see what I think. I have it set up better now than I did last time I rode with you and Fred, but part of problem is I don't ever think it will be perfect, I get it where I like it an adapt. I honestly don't feel the lack of linkage is a big of disadvantage as some people make it out to be.
I also think I am probably more critical then most when it comes to my bikes.
I like to tinker with them, it's part of what I like about riding. I have a habit of dinking with little insignificant things that wouldn't bother most people. Cosmetically I don't care what the bike looks like, but mechanically small things bug me. The more I ride a bike and play with the settings, the more comfortable I feel on it, the more comfortable I am the faster I can go.

 

[MWEISSEN]

Dave, I hear you on the bike tinkering. Unfortunately with my schedule this year so far, that's about all I've had time to do is tinker with my bikes. Actually, I've got my road bike in a zillion pieces, in the middle of giving it a carb job for a little more oomph.

It's ironic that in one breath our new governor wants to cut the budget significantly, yet spent millions in fixing up the governor's home.

I think we've got to watch here a little - I feel really uncomfortable with her long-term policies for public land use. Let's all keep an eye on this for the next few years!

 

[dthoms]

Mark,
I agee, it is often the people who never even wander into the woods that think it needs to be off limits for those of us that do like to wander around in the woods. I my opinion managed forest, and managed wildlife makes for a healthier forest and wildlife. Some of the damage that nature has suffered happened before and after the turn of the 19th century. I won't argue that it will never be the same but, it is the management of these lands and animals that is preserving them, and making them prosper again. Well I better stop there before I start cursing.
Oh yeah, by the way I cut and pasted our governers address out of your first posting and I think you spelled Jennifer wrong. I didn't think she would appreciate it if I spilled her name wrung.
Next time your trying to find some one to go for a quick ride let me know, thats about all I have had time for lately. You have my home address, and my work address is [email protected]

See ya on the trail.
Dave

 

[Smit-Dog]

FYI...

I received a letter today from Nancy Cassis, senator from my district (#15). Here's the gist of her letter:

It is very important to me that motorcycle safety funding actually be used for training classes. There are many in the House and Senate that agree. To that end, there is a proposal to move the safety education funding from the Department of Education to the Secretary of State. It makes sense for the funding to stay in the Department that collects it and is responsible for issuing the user license. I am assured by Terri Lynn Land, the current Secretary of State, that the funding will be used for what it is intended - to educate riders on motorcycle safety. I will be in full support of this change.

Nancy Cassis
State Senator
15th District

I wrote back to her that I agree 100%. The AMA Rapid Response works!

 

[KTM Mike]

Smit Dog

I received a similar response from Senator Tony Stamas (for us Northerners!):


... I understand how important it is that our riders are properly trained on how to operate their vehicle safely. After speaking with the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education, Representative John Moolenaar, I have learned he is planning on raising concerns similar to yours with the department when they begin meeting next week.

Also, yesterday when reporting the General Governement budgets out of committee, Senator Valde Garcia included an appropriation of funds for motorcycle and off road vehicle safety education programs within the Department of State Budget. As mentioned earlier, these funds were formerly transferred to the Department of Education for oversight and Governor Granholm had recommended elimination of the programs this year. I support the efforts to restore this important program. ...

Yep - I think we have a couple of supporters for rider training! The old squeeking wheel thing I guess! :thumb: